Have you heard the one about the one-size-fits-all condoms?

In 2018, an African health minister complained condoms were too small. Black Americans and Europeans joined the call for larger condoms, while white Americans and Indians in South Asia called for the opposite.

Given the important role condoms play in sexual and reproductive health and the fight against HIV/Aids, this was no laughing matter. It highlighted that health interventions must cater for the diversity of the population who use them. Yet, we don’t seem to have learnt our lesson.

The Covid pandemic has reminded us of the price we pay when our healthcare system only serves one sub-group.

Covid treatment optimised for white patients may have cost the lives of people from ethnic minorities – Professor Francisca Mutapi